Automatic battery for looms



April 20, 1937. w. A. SMITH AUTOMATIC BATTERY FOR LOOMS Filed Sept, 5, 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet l 52 gwuc/wbo'nl VV/LLIHM A. 5M/TH April 20, 1937., w. A. SMITH 2,077,853

AUTOMATIC BATTERY FOR LOOMS Filed Sept. 5, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 g m/vow. VV/LL/AMAjM/TH April 20, 1937. w. A. SMITH AUTOMATIC BATTERY FOR LOOMS- Filed Sept. 5, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet s WILLIAM 14.5mm:

April 20, 1937. w. A. SMITH AUTOMATIC BATTERY FOR LOOMS Filed Sept. 5, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 awe/whom: WILL/m4 4. SMITH & 0E s w. A. SMITH AUTOMATIC BATTERY FOR LOOMS April 20, 1937. 2,077,858

Filed Sept. 5, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 gwuc'wto bi WILL/HM H. SMITH April 20, 1937. W, A, SWTH 2,077,858

AUTOMATIC BATTERY FOR LOOMS Filed Sept. 5, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 awe/Mom: WILLIAMASM/TH W. A. SMITH Aprifi 20, 19 37.

AUTOMATIC BATTERY FOR LOOMS 9 Sheet s-Sheet 7 Filed Sept. 5, 1935 WILL/AM AiSM/TH Aprii 20, 1937. w. A. SMITH AUTOMATIC BATTERY FOR LOOMS Filed Sept. 5, 1955' 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 WILLIHM ASMITH a2, @MAm WWW April20, 1937. w. ASMIT 2,077,858

' AUTOMATIC BATTERY FOR LOOMS Filed Sept. 5, 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 grwc/wtoo; \WILLIHM ASM/TH aww Patented Apr. 20, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

The present invention relates to a filling replenishing mechanism for looms of the type employing a rotary hopper for carrying a reserve supply of filling carriers which are automatically transferred, one at a time, as needed, into the shuttle, and more especially to a mechanism of the type described having means for automatically feeding a bobbin from a stationary hopper to a rotary hopper as a bobbin is transferred from iii the rotary hopper into the shuttle.

It is an object of this invention to provide in a weft replenishing mechanism for looms having a rotary hopper, a second or stationary hopper disposed directly above the rotary hopper for containing a plurality of bobbins with means disposed in said second stationary hopper for automatically replenishing the first or rotary hopper as the bobbins are exhausted by the loom.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in a rotary hopper means for automatically placing the filling carriers in said hopper, means for automatically gathering the loose ends on said filling carriers and winding the same around I a suitable spindle so that when the filling carrier is transferred into the shuttle the end will be held as the shuttle is picked from one end of the lay of the loom to the other.

In order to accomplish this result it is neces- 0 sary to provide a specially constructed rotary hopper for carrying a plurality of filling carriers and means for supporting these filling carriers at one point only, namely, at the butt of the bob bin. By supporting the filling carriers in this manner, it is possible to provide means for engaging the loose ends on thefilling carrier and winding the same .onto a suitable spindle. In a conventional hopper, where a disk is used, it is evident that this structure could not be used so 0 advantageously since the disk would interfere with gathering the loose end for automatically winding it around a spindle.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in a weft replenishing mechanism having a rotary hopper, pneumatic means disposed in close proximity to the filling carriers for directing a blast of air thereon'to remove the loose ends so that a suitable mechanical means can engage the 50 same and wind them around a shaft orspindle. Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the de-- scription proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the invention applied to a loom showing portions of the lay in section;

Figure 2 is an elevation looking at the lefthand side of Figure 1 and showing portions of the loom frame in section;

Figure 3 is an elevation looking at the righthand side of Figure 1- with portions thereof broken away;

Figure 4 is a rear elevation taken along line l4 in Figure 2, and showing portions of the 10 loom frame in section;

Figure 5 is a sectional plan viewtaken along line 5-5 in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional viewtaken along line 1--1 in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 8-8 in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a. sectional view taken along line 2 9-9 in Figure '7;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view taken along line Ill-l0 in Figure 2;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along line ll-ll in Figure 4;

Figure 12 is a view taken along line l2-l2 in Figure 1;

Figure 13 is an enlarged detail view of the central portion of Figure 1 showing the rotary hopper with the filling carriers removed there- 30 from;

Figure 14 is a .view taken along line M-lfin Figure 13;

Figure ,15 is a sectional view taken along line l5|5 in Figure 13;

Figure 16 is a view similar to the lower portion of Figure 3 but showing the parts in a different position;

Figure 17 is a vertical sectional view taken along line i1l| in Figure 3;

Figure 18 is a vertical sectional view taken along line l8-l8 in Figure 4 showing the details of the filling carrier support;

Figure '19 is a sectional view similar to Figure '7 but showing pneumatic means for finding the loose ends on the filling carriers;

' Figure 20 is a sectional plan view taken along line 20-40 in Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 2l-2l in Figure 19;

Figure 22 is a sectional detail view taken along line 22-42 in Figure 19.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral l0 denotes a loom frame upon which is mounted a hopper stand II by any suitable means such as stud bolts I2. This hopper stand has a stud I3 fixedly secured therein (Fig. and around which isrotatabiy mounted ardisk or 5 rotary hopper I4. Secured to rotary hopper I4 is ratchet wheel I5 (Fig. which is also rotatably mounted on stud shaft I3. The rotary hopper I4 has a plurality of filling carrier supports I6 (Fig. 18) which comprises a hub portion I1 10 having threadably secured therein screw l8 and around screw I8 is a compression spring I3 confined between plates 20 and 2|. The plate 2| is loosely mounted on pin I6 and has two projections 2Ia integral therewith which are adapted to loosely penetrate holes in clamping member 23. It should be noted that the clamping members 23 are L-shaped and the long leg thereof has corrugations 23a therein which are adapted to fit over the rings 23b on the butt of a quill or bobbin. In the position shown in Figure 18, it is evident that the right-hand ends of clamping members 23 are normally pressed against the ends of U-shaped plate 26, since the compression spring I9 forces plate 2| against the short 25 legs of members 23 and against the hub por-- tion I1.

, When the butt of a quill or bobbin is forced between the fiared ends of members 23, it is necessary for these members to spread a slight amount in order to allow the butt end of the quill or bobbin to enter. When this spreading takes place, the short leg of members 23 will force the plate 2| to the right (Fig. 18), against the compression of spring I9; therefore, providing means for causing the flared ends of members 23 to tightly engage the base of the quill or bobbin after it has once been placed therein.

Each end of filling carrier supports I6 has a gear 24 integral therewith, said gear having knifeedge teeth thereon which are adapted to engage a suitable mechanism, to be later described, for rotating the filling carrier support to cause the yarn to be unwound when it reaches a certain position on the rotary hopper.

By referring to Figures 13, 14 and 15, it is seen that each of the filling carrier supports I6 has the hub portion I1 thereof provided with a transverse notch in the front end of same, and in this notch the clamping members 23 and their associated parts are mounted. The hub member l1, at the point where it is notched, has the appearance of two segments of a-circle in which gear teeth or segments Ma and "b are out. These gear segments, when the hopper I4 is rotated, are adapted to engage the rack-member 26 and rotate the filling carrier supports I6 to the position shown by the second carrier from the top in Figure 13.

In Figure 13 the segments Ma and Nb are not shown engaged with the rack member 26, because when a filling carrier support I6 reaches this rack, the rack immediately turns the filling carrier support I6 to a position occupied by the second carrier from the top on Figure 13. The rack 35 member 26 is slidably mounted in'a slot in the hopper stand II and is held in that position by any suitable means such as springs-21 and 28 fixedly secured to hopper stand II as at 21 and 26a respectively.

70 When the uppermost filling carrier support I6, as shown in Figure 13, reaches this rack and is turned to the positionshown by the second carrier from the top, a plate 29 engages the flat side of one of the clamping members 23 and causes 15 the member to remain in the same relative position with respect to the hopper I4 as it is rotated towards "the transfer point. This plate 23 is slidably mounted in a slot in hopper stand II and is placed adjacent plate 26 which has just been described. This plate 26 is resiliently held 5 in contact with the back of clamping member 23 by any suitable means such as a leaf-spring 36 secured as at 30a to the hopper stand II.

It is necessary for the filling carrier supports I6 when they reach the position shown by the 10 second one from the top. in Figure 13, to have the fiat sides of the clamping members 23 disposed parallel to the radius of hopper I4 so that as the rotary hopper I4 is rotated in a clockwise manner the end of cam 3I will engage the side of 15 U-shaped plate 20 and turn the filling carrier support I6 to the position shown in the lowermost position in Figure 13 ready for a transfer operation. The cam member 3| is welded to curved guide or angle member 32 and is adapted 20 to press against the front face of rotary hopper I4. The curved guide 32 is secured to the lower portion of bracket I I by any suitable means such as stud bolts 33 (Fig. 4).

In order to hold the filling carrier supports 25 I6 in their respective cavities in hopper l4, a resilient wire hoop member 35 is provided which is adapted to fit in groove 3511 around each of the -filling carrier supports I6, (Figs. 5, 15 and 18).

By exerting pressure on the back side of the fill- 30 mg carrier supports l6, it is possible to remove the filling carrier supports I6 from theircavities but under normal operation the hoop 35 prevents the filling carrier supports from coming out during operation of the machine, and are allowed to 35 remain therein for rotation.

.The stud I3 is hollow (Figs. 5 and 13), and has a bolt 31 penetrating said hole. Av washer 36 is provided on the back end of bolt 31. On the other end of bolt 31 is a compression spring 33 40 which is pressed against washer 40. Washer 46 has a transverse portion 40a which is adapted to fit in slots I3a cut in stud I3. This prevents the washer from rotating when the hopper is rotated. Disposed between the hub of rotary hopper I4 45 and the washer 46 is a fibrous washer H, which acts as a brake for the rotary hopper when it is rotated to a new position. I i

It is a well known fact that when a transfer takes place it is necessary to move the hopper 50 to a new position very quickly and were it not for the fibrous washer there would be a tendency for the rotary-hopper to rebound after it had moved to a new position.'

The rotary hopper I4 and its associated parts 55 are advanced step by step by means of a suitable lateral pointed portion 45a on lever 45 (Figs.

4, 5 and 10) which engages the teeth in ratchet wheel I5. The other end of dog 45 is pivoted by bolt 46 to lever 41, said lever 41 being fixedly 60 secured on shaft 46. This shaft is 'rotatably mounted in bracket 49, which in turn, is secured to the top surface of hopper stand II. Fixedly secured on the other end of shaft 48 is a gear 50 (Figs. 2, 5 and 10), said gear 50 meshing with 41 (Fig. 4), to likewise rotate in a. clockwise conventional shuttle box 58 with a shuttle 59 and a package of yarn 60 therein. It is also equipped with bunter 6I which engages dog 62 after the filling has been exhausted from a filling carrier.

5 When the filling is exhausted from a filling carrier the conventional filling feeler finger on the loom will actuate a suitable mechanism, which,

- in turn, will actuatea dog 62 and cause this dog to rotate in a counter-clockwise manner, (Fig.

1) about pivot point '63, so that the bunter 5| will engage this dog and rotate an arm 64 about shaft 53. When this is done, it is evident that the transfer arm 65 will move downwardly since it is integral with arm 64 and the end of arm 15 65 will engage the butt end of a filling carrier disposed in transfer position in the rotary hopper to cause the same to be transferred from the hopper I4 to the shuttle 50. The transfer arm transfer arm 65 is normally urged in a counterclockwise manner in Figure l by means of a suitable coil spring 69.

Shaft 53 has fixedly secured on the end thereof an arm l0, the end of said arm having a tipsupporting member 'II pivotally mounted as at 30 12 for yieldingly supporting the tip of a filling carrier 60 as it is transferred to the shuttle. This member is conventional and a further description is not deemed necessary.

During the normal operation of the loom, that 35 is, when a transfer is not being made, but the shuttle 50 is being thrown back and forth across the loom, the parts 52, 55 and 62 remain in the position shown in Figure l. The lay will oscillate back and forth and the apron 56 'will slide on rod 55. When the lay 5'! reaches its extreme right-hand position, with the parts in the position shown in Figure l, the apron 55 will not touch the nut 55b on the end of rod 55. Instead, there will be a slight clearance when the lay has oscillated to its extreme right-hand 45 position; therefore, the lever 52 and its associated parts will not be operated. When the filling has become exhausted from one of the quills or bobbins and the filling detector causes the dog 62 to rotate to a position where the hunter 6I will 50 strike the same, the lever 65 will be. oscillated in a clockwise manner to cause a transfer to take place which has previously-been described. Upon this rotation, the lever 64 will contact the end of set screw I5 which is threadably mounted 5 in alug on the lever 52. Therefore, when any clockwise rotation is imparted to the lever 65 to cause a transfer to be made, the lever 52 is likewise caused to rotate in a like manner.

When lever 52 rotates, the lower end thereof 60 will cause the bolt 55 to move to the left thereby placing the nut 55b which is on the end of bolt 55, in the path of the apron 56 when it oscillates to the extreme right-hand position again from the position shown in Figure 1. On the 65 movement to the left, of the lay, in Figure 1, after the dog 62 has been caused to move by the filling feeler detector to where it will be engaged by the hunter GI, a new package of yarn is transferred from the hopper It to the shuttle 59 and 70 the lever 52 is rotated in a clockwise manner in Figure 1 or in a counter-clockwise manner in Figure 10, thereby causing the gear 58 to 'rotate the geai 50 and the shaft 40 in a clock- 75 wisemanner in Figure 10. This will cause lever a stationary hopper 82.

. an entire day.

manner which will drag the lever 45 over to the next notch in ratchet wheel I5.

When the lay 51 moves again to its extreme right-hand position, the apron 56 will engage the nut 55b to restore the lever 52 to its original position at which time lever 52 will be rotated in a clockwise manner in Figure 10, which, in turn, will cause the lever 48 to move the lever 45 in a counter-clockwise manner to advance the hopper I4 one notch. It should be noted that the ratchet wheel I5 has the same number-of notches as the rotary hopper I4 has bobbin supports I6, so that when the ratchet wheel I5 is advanced one notch a package of yarn 60 is moved to a new position readyfor transfer when the filling is exhausted on the bobbin in the shuttle.

The shaft 53 has secured thereon a bearing 80 which has integral therewith an upwardly extending support M which supports one side of This stationary hopper is also supported as at 84 and 85 (Fig.3), by means of a shield 86 which surrounds a suitable brush I65 and extends downwardly and is secured as at 88 to elongated bracket 89. Bracket 89 is secured to the hopper stand II by any suitable means such as stud bolt 90.

The stationary hopper 82 is 'so constructed that a plurality of filling carriers 60 may be placed therein, to be selected one at a time by a grooved wheel 9i and conveyed to a position where the filling carrier will be placed in the rotary hopper.

The hopper maybe of sufiicient size to hold enough filling carriers to supply the loom for Rotatably mounted in the lower portion of hopper 82 is wheel SI having flutes am thereon which are adapted to engage a filling carrier and rotate it to a position where it will beplaced in the rotary hopper. This wheel 9! is fixedly mounted on a shaft 92, said shaft being rotatably mounted in the sidewalls of stationary hopper 02. One end of shaft 92 extends a substantial distance out beyond the hopper 82 and has its ends rotatably mounted in the upper end of bracket 94, (Figs. 2 and 4), which bracket is semeans such as stud bolts 95. Loosely mounted on shaft 92 is a gear 96 having a hub 96a in-- tegral therewith, said hub having a clutch face adapted to engage a clutch face on collar 91 (Figs. 2 and 11), which is keyed on shaft 92. Collar 91 is'adapted to have sliding movement on said shaft and also has notches therein and is normally pressed into engagement with the hub member 95a by any suitable means such as a compression spring 98 disposed between collar 91 and hopper 82. If, by any chance, a filling carrier 60 should become entangled or engaged between one of the flutes Ella and the hopper 92 the members 96a, 91 and 98 will provide a safety means which will allow the gear wheel 95 to turn but will allow the shaft 92 and the wheel M to remain stationary. Were it not for this safety device, if a filling carrier became This gear I02 also meshes with gear teeth I a (Figs. 2 and 10) in hopper I4; therefore, when the rotary hopper I4 is advanced by means of ratchet wheel I5 the gear I02 is rotated in a clockwise manner, (Fig. 10) and gear I is rotated in a counter-clockwise manner, which, in turn, will rotate the gear 96 and shaft 92 in a I clockwise manner in Figure 4, to advance wheel 9|, thereby positioning another package 60 so that it can be transferred into the rotary hop- 7 per I4. 1 The means for transferring the package 60 from the stationary hopper 82 to the rotary hopper I4 is clearly shown in Figures 2 and 8. when; the filling carrier has reached the position shown in Figures 2 and 8, along'line 8-8, the tip end thereof is adapted tobe engaged by an enlarged member I05 having-a cavity I05a in which a suitable leather or fibrous material is placed for engaging the tip end-of the filling carrier in order that it will not be damaged.

' 30 Rod I06- has downwardly extending portion I08 to which is secured a laterally disposed link I09. This link has pivoted to the end thereof as at IIO, a pin III. which has its end slidably mount ed in a suitable bore in member H2. A spring Illa surrounds the central portion of pin III and vmember H2 and has the ends thereof secured to said pin and member. The member H2 is pivoted as at II4 to one end of alsuitable bell crank II5, said bell crank II5 being mount- 40 ed for oscillation on one end of' rod II6, which rod is fixed in bearing 80. The other end of bell crank II5 has a slot II5a therein which is penetrated by a bolt II3.

Bolt II3 also penetrates the upper end of lever 45 Ill which is pivotally mounted on extension arm .68 of the transfer lever 10, and the lower end of member II1 has one end of a tension spring II8 secured thereto, the other end of said spring being secured as at II9 (Fig. 6) to collar 50 53a fixedly mounted on shaft 53. The purpose of this spring is to cause the upper end of lever II1 to be pressed to the rightor in a clockwise manner in Figure 6 at all times when a transfer is being made thereby preventing the lever II1 from becoming locked when the transfer arm 55 has moved downwardly since the bolt II3 also moves downwardly and rotates the bell crank H5 in a counter-clockwise manner in Figure 2. Each time the transfer mechanism is operated a0 and the transfer arm 65 is actuated to throw a filling carrier 60 from the rotary hopper I4, the lever II1 will be moved downwardly and the bell crank II5 will be rotated in a counter-clockwise manner in Figure 2, thereby causing member I05 as to move" against the tip of the bobbin and press ment on this shaft. left the gear I38 will be caused to mesh with to the proper position between the members .23 the only thing that would result would be the spring Illa would be elongated and no damage would result to the filling carrier or to th machine.

After the filling carriers are placed in the filling carrier supports l6 they are rotated step by 7 .step until the filling carriers are disposed opposite the gears I and I2I which are fixedly mounted on shafts I22 and I23, (Figs. 7 and 10). These shafts are rotatably mounted in hopper stand II and have fixedly secured on the other end thereof plnions I25 and I28 respectively.

- These pinions I25 and I26 normally mesh with a larger gear I21 (Fig. 4), which is fixedly secured on the end of shaft I28, said shaft I28 being also rotatably mounted in hopper stand II.

The shaft I28 has fixedly mounted thereon a sprocket I29, (Figs. 3 and 4),, upon which is mounted a chain I30, said chain I30 being also mounted on Y-shaped portion I on the upper end of bell crank lever I42. The lever I42 is pivoted as at I43 to U-shaped bracket I44 which s suspended from the shaft I32. The end of lever I42 (Fig. 3) has one end of tension spring I45 secured thereto, the upper end of said tension spring being secured to one end of a cable I46 which extends upwardly through pipe I41 and has its other end secured as at I48 to a pin I49, (Figs. 2, 3 and 5). This pin is secured to bolt 46 by any suitable means such as set screw I50. When the dog 62 is actuated so that the hunter 5| will strike the same upon its movement to the left in Figure 1 to cause the lever 52 to rotate and also to cause the dog 45a to ratchet over ratchet wheel I5, it is evident that the cable I45 will be pulled to the right in Figure 4, as the shaft 48 is rotated. When this is done the spring I45will be moved upwardly in Figure 3, thus causing the lever I42 to rotate in a counter-clockwise manner in Figure 3 about point I43, which, in turn, will cause the beveled gear I38 to move to the left in Figure 3. This beveled gear is keyed on shaft I32 but has longitudinal sliding move- When it is moved to the bevel gear I55, said gear being fixed on the upper end of a shaft. I56, the upper end of which is rotatably mounted in the U-shaped bracket I44, (Figs. 3 and '1). The lower end of shaft I56 is rotatably mounted in an inverted U-shaped bracket I51, (Figs. 1 and 12) and has fixedly secured on the lower end thereof a beveled gear I58 which gear meshes with a larger beveled gear I59 fixedly mounted on pick shaft I60. Shaft I60 is mounted in a bearing I6I secured to loom frame I0. The bevel gear I58, shaft I55, and beveled gear I55 rotate constantly. but shaft I32 only rotates when the shaft 48 (Figs. 4 and 10) ,is rotated in a manner to cause the lever I42 to be rotated to cause the gears I38 and I55 to mesh.

During the engagement of the gears I38 and I55 the sprocket I34 (Fig. 3), will be turned thereby turning the sprocket I29 which will rotate the gear I21 in a clockwise manner in Figure 4. This rotation will cause the and I26 to rotate in a counter-clockwise manner thus turning the shafts I22 and I23, which, in turn, will rotate the gears I20 and I2I in a counter-clockwise manner in Figure 10.

5 During the time that the gears I55 and I38 are in mesh the pinions I20 and I2I as shown in Figure 10, will cause the filling carrier supports I6 to rotate in a clockwise manner thereby rotating the filling carriers 60 to cause the same to be 10 unwound. At the same time the brush I65 which is fixedly mounted in shaft I28 will be caused to rotate in a clockwise manner in Figure 10. It is thus seen that the brush will also tend to gather the loose ends on the filling carriers 80 15 in such a manner so that the ends may be en- 25 rests on top of a slide I68 secured to the upper portion of elongated bracket 89.

When the beveled gear I38 is moved to the left in Figure 3 or to the position shown in Figure 16 where it meshes with beveled gear I55 the lever I61 is likewise moved to the left and the hook portion I61a is caused to fall behind shoulder I68a of slide I68 and is held in this position by any suitable means such as a tension spring I69. The end of lever I61 also has a cam surface I611) which is contacted by a cam I15 secured on a chain I16, (Fig. 7). This chain is rotatably mounted on sprockets I11 and I16 and it is seen that when cam I15 contacts the lower side of cam surface I61b that the lever I61 will be raised upwardly thereby causing the hook portion I61a to rise upwardly to allow the spring I69 to pull the lever I61 to the right in Figures 3 and 16. When this is done the gear I38 will become disengaged from gear I55 thereby causing the brush I65 and the pinions I20 and I2I to cease rotation.

When a transfer to the shuttle takes place, lever 41, Figure 4, turns to the right, pulling cable I46 attached to spring I45 and spring to lever I42, said lever I42, Figures 3 and 7, moves upwardly, throwing yoke I 65 to the left, to engage gear I38, lever I61 through its connection to yoke MI at I61 moves to the left in Figure 3, and hook surfaces I61a engage end I68a of plate I68 thus holding gear I38 in mesh with gear I55.

The spring I45 is about four times as strong as spring I69, which is just strong enough to snap yoke IM to original position when the weft-end finding mechanism has completed its cycle which 50 is governed by cam surface I15 on chain I16 which engages cam surface I61b on lever I61. Spring I45 and cable are slackened by reason of their return to original position on next back movement of the lay after transfer, therefore,

65 spring I45 has to be strong enough to overcome the combined resistance of meshing gears I38 to I55 and the spring I69, yet spring I66 need only be strong enough to return gear meshing mechanism to its original position after weft-end find- 70 ing mechanism has completed its cycle of operation, spring I45 having already returned to original position.

Each time a transfer is made the same rotation takes place as has just been described, but a 75 different pair of bobbin supports are rotated. A

sprocket I11 is rotatably secured to a bracket I14 which bracket has a slot I11a therein penetrated by stud bolts I13. This makes it possible to secure the proper adjustment or tension on sprocket chain I16. The sprocket I18 is fixedly secured on a spindle I85 which spindle has fixedly secured on one end thereof abeveled gear I86. Beveled gear I86 meshes with a beveled gear I81 which is fixedly secured on the end of shaft I32. While the gears I38 and I55 are in mesh the shaft I32 will be rotated which will also rotate the gears I81, I86 and the sprockets I11 and I18 which in turn will rotate the chain I16. Chain I16 has a plurality of hooks I16a secured thereto which are adapted to pass between the brush and the filling carrier 60 and engage the loose end of the yarn. When hook I16a has engaged the loose end it will conduct it outwardly and wind the same around the spindle I65.

- Method of operation Briefly, the operation of the invention is as follows:

The filling carriers 60 are placed in the stationary hopper 62 from whence they are conducted, step by step, by means of fluted wheel 9| until the carriers are disposed in the position shown in Figure 8. When the transfer mechanism is operated, the member I05 drives the butt end of the carrier between the members 23 of a holder filling carrier support I6, after which the carrier is moved, step by step, in the rotary hopper I8 until it reaches the brush I65. When the filling carrier support I6 reaches the brush, the gear 24 on the filling carrier support, Figure 18, engages one of the gears I20 or I2I as seen in Figure where the gear is given rotary movement thereby rotating the filling carrier in the opposite direction from which it is wound to cause the same to be unwound, as at the same time the rotary brush I65 is rotated to gather up the loose end so that one of the hooks I 16a which is mounted on chain I16 can gather the loose end and conduct it around the spindle I85 as seen in Figure 7. With the loose end wrapped around spindle I85 the filling carrier is then transferred, step by step, to the lowermost position in the rotary hopper from whence it is I? transferred to the shuttle in the lay of the loom 51.

In the event of the transfer mechanism operating twice in quick succession there would be two filling carriers with their thread ends not removed from the carriers. It is evident that the brush I 65 would remove both thread ends from the carriers and they would be engaged by the hooks I16a on chain I16 and their ends carried to the spindle I85 to be wound thereon. This is a feature which is valuable, as it is seen that since the filling carriers are exposed to the rotary brush while in two positions, and therefore, if the brush should fail to find the end on a filling carrier while it is in its first position, it would have another chance at finding the end when the filling can'ier is moved to another position upon a transfer operation.

If the thread end is removed from the filling carrier while in its upper position, it is seen that the chain I16 will move it outwardly towards the spindle I85, and the end will be drawn from the end of the carrier and out of contact with the rotary brush, as a straight line from the end of the filling carriers to the spindle does not cross the path of any of the portions of the brush as it rotates.

It is thus seen that a large supply of filling car-'- riers can be placed in the stationaryhopper 92 from whence they willbe automatically" fed to the rotary hopper which will gather the loose ends and wrap them around the spindle I". The operation is entirely automatic and greatly increases the efiiciency and output of a loom.

Figures 19 to 22 inclusive show a modified form of means for gathering the loose ends from the 10 packages of yarn. In this form a suitable pipe I99 is connected to a source of compressed air which pipe is supported by a bracket I9I rising from member 99. This pipe leads to one side of a valve I92 which comprises a valve cap I92 which is integral with a pin I 94, said valve cap being held in closed position as shown in Figure 22 by any suitable means such as compression spring I95. Lever I91 has a prong I99 projecting upwardly therefrom which is adapted to contact the pin I94 and open the valve at specified intervals to allow the air to pass therethrough. It is evident that when the lever I" is moved to the right as in Figure 19, or to the left in Figures 3 and 16 to cause the gears I29 and Il9 to mesh that the valve I99 will be opened.

Connected to the other side of valve I92 is pipe I91 having a plurality of holes I99 therein through which a blast of air is emitted onto the surface of the filling can'ier 99.

3 As has been previously stated, when the filling carlrizes's refighblthe position shown in Figures 19 an as a emechanismisem lo edtoca the filling carriers to p y use cm of the invention the valve I92 is 0 ed 3 which will cause a blast of air to be simultantfi i sly directed upon the filling carrier at the time it is unwound to cause the loose ends to be blown directly against screen I99 which is fixed on the side of bracket 99. With the loose end against 40 the screen I99 the prongs I19 will engage the loose end and wind it around spindle III. By using pneumatic means the brush I99 may or may not be dispensed with.

In the drawings and specification there has been 5 set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Means for supplying filled bobbins to the shuttle of a loom upon exhaustion of the filling on a bobbin carried by the shuttle comprising a rotary hopper, a fixed hopper disposed above the rotary hopper for holding a plurality of filled bobbins, means for removing the bobbins from the fixed hopper and placing the same in the rotary hopper, means for imparting intermittent rotation to the rotary hopper, means for imparting rotation to the bobbins held in the rotary hopper, a

rotary brush for. removing the end of the yarnon each bobbin, an endless chain having hooks thereon for conveying the loose end to a point removed 5 from the tip of the bobbin, and means operable by the lay of the loom upon each transfer operation for moving the rotary hopper.

2. In a battery loom, a rotary hopper, means for placing filling carriers in the rotary hopper, 0 means for imparting individual rotation to the filling carriers while held in the rotary hopper, a rotary brush for engaging the filling carriers while the same are rotated to'remove the ends of yarn therefrom, means for engaging the removed 1 ends and conveying the same to a point removed be unwound and in this from the filling carriers, and means for holding said ends until the filling carriers are transferred from the rotary hopper.

-3 In a battery loom, a rotary hopper, means for holding filling carriers in the hopper, means for imparting individual rotation to the means for holding the filling carriers while held in the rotary hopper, pneumatic means for removing theends of yarn from the filling carriers while the same are rotated, means for conveying the removed ends to a point removed from the filling carriers, and means for holding the said ends until the filling carriers are transferred from the rotary hopper.

4. Means for supplying bobbins to the shuttle of a loom as the filling thereon becomes exhausted comprising a rotary hopper, a fixed hopper disposed above the rotary-hopper, means for selecting and removing bobbins one at a time from the fixed hopper, said rotary hopper having a plurality of spring pressed jaws for receiving the butt ends of the bobbins and forming the sole support for the bobbins, means formoving said bobbins endwise ,one at a time between a pair of said jaws, means for imparting rotation to the rotary hopper, means for imparting. rotation to some of the spring pressed laws in the rotary hopper, a rotary brush for contacting the bobbins held in the rotating jaws and removing the loose end from each bobbin, an endless chain having the hooks thereon for moving said loose ends and holding'the same until the bobbins are trans- I the brush and the filling carriers to convey the removed ends past the end of the brush and to wind the ends around one of the shafts on which the endless chain is mounted.

6. In a loom having a rotary hopper, a plurality of sets of spring-pressed laws for receiving the butts of filling carriers and forming the sole support for the filling carriers, means for feeding filling carriers to said rotary hopper, means for ensuing, the tips of the filling carriers one at a time and pressing the same endwise to force the butts thereof between a set of the spring-pressed jaws, means for imparting rotation to at least one of said filling carriers when it reaches a predetermined point during the rotation of the rotary hopper, a rotary brush for engaging said filling carrier while it is rotating and removing the end therefrom, and means for engaging the removed end and securing it to a fi'xed object.

7. In a loom having a rotary hopper-provided with a plurality of filling carrier supports for chew! the butt end ofa filling carrier and forming the sole support for the carrier, means for rotating some of said filling carrier supports when they reach a predetermined point in the rotation of the hopper, means for engaging a re.-

' tating filling carrier to remove the end from the filling carrier, means for engaging the removed end and conveying it past and over the tip of the filling carrier, and means for holding the removed ends.

a. In a loom having a rotary hopper provided aowisas with a plurality of filling carrier supports, each of said supports comprising a pair of springpressed jaws for receiving the butt end of the filling carriers and forming the sole support therefor, each of said filling carrier supports having a pinion thereon, means for engaging said pinion when the filling carrier reaches a predetermined point in the rotation of the hopper, means for engaging the tip of a filling carrier and moving its butt end between a pair of said spring-pressed jaws, means for engaging said filling carriers while they are being rotated to remove the ends therefrom, and means for conveying the removed ends and securing them in position at a point beyond the tip of the filling carrier.

9. A loom having a rotary hopper provided with a plurality of filling carrier supports rotatably mounted in the hopper, means for imparting rotation to the supports when they reach a predetermined point during the rotation of the hopper, means for engaging the filling carriers in said rotating supports and removing the end therefrom, and means for engaging the removed end and conveying it past the tip of the filling carrier and means for holding the removed end in position until its carrier is transferred from the hopper.

10. A loom having a rotary hopper provided with a plurality of filling carrier supports rotatably mounted therein, means for rotating the filling carrier supports, means for engaging the filling carrier in the rotating supports and removing the end therefrom, a pair of parallel shafts, an endless chain mounted on said shafts and having hooks thereon for engaging the removed ends and winding the same around one of said shafts.

.WILLIAM A. SMITH. 

